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Between volcano hikes, river rafting, downhill mountain biking and zip lines, adventure junkies can find their fix in destinations all over South America. But Pucon, Chile, is particularly renowned for adventure sports, offering horseback riding, skydiving, paragliding and snowmobiling. It's also a hot spot for cuisine and nightlife, making it a well-rounded destination for any South America traveler.

Pucon Location

The closest major city to Pucon is Villarrica, which sits just over 15 miles away. Temuco is located 68 miles from Pucon, while Chile's capital city of Santiago is nearly 500 miles from the destination. It's relatively simple to reach Pucon, and there are a variety of ways to get there.

Pucon by Plane

Pucon has its own airport, located just 3 miles away from the city proper. However, this airport only operates regularly during summer months, and flights in and out of Pucon's airport tend to be quite expensive. Travelers who want to reach Pucon by plane will have an easier time flying into the Temuco airport, called Aeropuerto de la Araucania, which is open year-round and services commercial flights.

The Araucania airport services flights from LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline and JetSmart, which operate journeys to and from Santiago. Shuttles connect the airport to Pucon, so it's easy to get from one to the other. However, these shuttles don't operate on a regular schedule, so it's best to call ahead to check their availability. The Transfer Temuco shuttles can be reached at info@transfertemuco.cl, or by phone at the following numbers:

+56 45-2334033

+56 45-2722970

+56 9-93249597

There are also multiple daily buses between Temuco and Pucon.

Bus Travel

Many travelers prefer to use buses to get from place to place in South America, as they're generally cheaper and more flexible than flights are. Most international flights into Chile land in Santiago, and buses depart from Santiago to Pucon on a daily basis. However, the trip takes more than 10 hours, and most operate overnight, from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m., for example.

Bus tickets from Santiago to Pucon cost around $20, so if a night's sleep on a bus doesn't bother you, it's probably your cheapest option.

Train to Temuco

If buses aren't your thing, consider taking a night train from Santiago to Temuco, which might offer a more comfortable journey than a bus would. The trip by train is shorter than the trip by bus – just under eight hours – and costs about the same as a bus trip. However, the train drops you off in Temuco, not directly in Pucon, so you still have to catch a van or bus from Temuco to Pucon after your overnight trip.

Driving to Pucon

South American roads can be a bit dangerous, but if you're headed to Pucon for an adrenaline rush anyway, you might as well get a head start on it. Travelers can reach Pucon by car via the Pan-American Highway, which is generally in good condition within driving distance of Pucon. The trip between Santiago and Pucon takes nine to 10 hours by car, so make sure to have a second driver, or take plenty of rest breaks along the way if you're making the trip on your own.

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About the Author

Brenna Swanston is a freelance writer, editor and journalist. She covers topics including environment, education, agriculture and travel. She previously reported for the Sun newspaper in Santa Maria, Calif., and holds a bachelor's in journalism from California Polytechnic State University. Swanston is an avid traveler and loves jazz, yoga and craft beer.

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